India to host U-17 Women's FIFA WC in 2020

India will host the seventh edition of the FIFA Under-17 Women's World Cup, to be held in 2020. India will gain a direct qualification as hosts of the tournament and will be participating in the biennial tournament for the first time.

India had failed to get automatic qualification for the 2018 edition after finishing third in their AFC under-16 championship qualifying group, behind South Korea and Philippines. Only the top three teams from the AFC Under-16 Championship qualify for the Under-17 Women's World Cup.

In the last World Cup held in Uruguay in 2018, Spain had defeated Mexico to lift the prestigious title while New Zealand and Canada had finished third and fourth respectively.

North Korea is the only nation to have won the Cup twice. Japan in 2014, France in 2012 and South Korea in 2010 have been the other winners.

The development comes after India played hosts to FIFA U-17 men's World Cup in 2017. The India men's team were knocked out in the group stages, with their only goal in the marquee tournament coming against Colombia. England went to seal the U-17 World Cup in India, 2017 with Spain finishing as the runners-up.

Heavyweights Brazil had finished third while Mali surprised one and all to finish fourth.